Knitted version Crochet version
The suggestion for the KASCuddle came from Helen Flagg. After some experimentation, she developed the pattern for the knitted version, and the crochet pattern was developed by Anne Powell.
The KASCuddle is designed to be an outer garment to be used over whatever clothing the baby might be wearing. The size (25" circumference, 25" long) will make it useful for babies from birth to about 4 months.
For our South African babies, it can be used both during the day when the baby is being carried, or as a sleep sack at night, when many of these babies sleep on the ground snuggled beside their moms. The "cuff" at the top can be rolled down for tiny babies or up as the baby grows.
Feel free to experiment with colour, stripes - whatever - but we recommend that this garment be made in a close weave such as garter stitch or single crochet so there are few gaps and maximum warmth.
Pattern for Knitted KASCuddle from Helen Flagg
Finished dimensions: 25" circumference/25" length including ribbed cuff
Materials
14oz. (4 skeins) worsted weight yarn ( such as wool, acrylic wool blend, please choose a soft yarn)
1 9mm/US13 - 29" (70 cm.) circular knitting needle (I used a 29" long needle, but if a knitter wants to try a 24" long circular needle it might wrk, albeit a bit full. A lot depends on what length needle knitters can find wherever they are)
1 yarn needle
1 stitch marker to fit needle
1 pr. 9mm/US13 straight knitting needles
Instructions
Knit with 2 strands of yarn held together
Cast on 68 stitches. K2P2 for 5 inches.
Place stitch marker on needle for beginning of first round.
Join each end of ribbing together and knit in round (garter stitch) until KASCuddle is 24" long from top edge of ribbing.
Using straight needles and beginning at marker, K2 together onto straight needles to end of row (34 stitches on needle.)
Knit next row to marker.
Next row K2 together on the straight needles to end of row at marker. (17 stitches on needle.)
Remove stitch marker.
Cut yarn leaving 10-12" tail.
Thread yarn needle with tail and pull through remaining 17 stitches.
Draw up tight and secure. Sew in loose ends.
Pattern for Crocheted KASCuddle from Anne Powell
Finished dimensions: 25" circumference/25" length including cuff
Materials
About 14 oz (4 skeins) worsted weight yarn ( such as wool, acrylic wool blend, or acrylic chunky - please choose a soft yarn)
1 6mm crochet hook
1 yarn needle
Instructions
Note if using worsted weight (or sportsweight) yarn, use 2 strands held together, if using chunky yarn use 1 strand.
Chain loosely 62 chains (foundation row)
Row 1 - SC into second chain from hook and SC across row.
Continue until work measures about 1" then measure width. The piece should measure 25" - but since yarn weight and individual tensions vary, it is a good idea to measure at this point. This is a good place to stop and assess in case you need to adjust the number of stitches you are using.
Continue in SC until you have completed a strip 5" from beginning row. This forms the 5"x 25" cuff.
Next row - Join 2 ends of work with a slip stitch and continue working in SC until piece measures 241/2 " long.
Next row - SC into every other stitch. End off.
Finishing - with yarn needle stitch together bottom of sack.
Replies
I see that this is supposed to be "14oz", but about how much yardage? I'm still relatively new to knitting & crocheting, but I've found that skeins of similar weight may have slightly different yardages depending on the manufacturer.
your post! Ronda is asking that the KASCuddles be a bit longer now because the caregivers
are now using them on larger, older babies up to nine months so if at all possible the Cuddles
are ideally now about 28 or 29 inches and squared off along the bottom........which negates
the need to decrease any rows before binding off. The bind off will just be straight across the
bottom without any decrease rows as we did previously. As for the circumference, I would
recommend about 26-27 inches around to accommodate the larger baby. So........bigger is better currently. If
you have already finished your Cuddle, don't despair! There will be a baby for it in SA for sure!
buy a little baby onsie footed suit with snaps to insert in it when I send it so the new mother
will have something to dress the baby in before she puts it in the Cuddle. She can use the
suit with the Cuddle until the baby outgrows both and then pass them on to another mother
with a newborn. We are having huge end-of-winter sales here in the U.S. and I have been
able to find at Carter's baby outlet in the U.S. onsie snap/footed suits in a heavy blanket
sleeper fabric for less then $5.00. Combining the suit and the Cuddle should give a good
level of warmth. I will include a note to Ronda asking her to keep the two items together and give both to the new mother.
of the patterns Anne and I looked at before we settled on the KASCuddle were too
small, some as small as 19" long. Ronda wanted them to be 25" long so the SA
mothers could use them until the babies are about 4 months. So if you stay with
the dimensions on the Forum site pattern, you will be fine. This is the only cuddle
sack pattern on the Forum. Be sure to use two strands of worsted weight wool
together so it will be warm enough.
Thank you for such kind words. Contributing to KAS is a pleasure and a joy!
attempt, Robert Hoddy has been kind enough to post a version of the KASCuddle
made on straight needles. If you do make one with this version, please be
certain that your side seams are comfortable for the babies. Thank you,
Robert. I'm sure there are many who will love trying this version.
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